The 20-year old midfielder has not appeared for the Gunners since last summer because of ankle and knee problems but will make an appearance for the U21 team at West Brom on Monday.

Wenger is excited to see Wilshere return but hopes that outsiders don't expect him to be back to his best straight away.

"Jack will play on Monday, he will play his first game with the under-21s, maybe an hour or something like that," said Wenger who saw Emmanuel Frimpong return after more than 7 months out in the 6-1 Capital One Cup win over Coventry City.

"It is another important step, but he has not played for 14 months so we have to calm your [the media's] impatience a little bit.

"It is fantastic for him. When you are at that age and are out for such a long time, it is absolutely massive to take (for) him and Frimpong to come back and (massive) for us as well."